How to Get the Most Out of Lemons

Do you love lemons? Okay, maybe not by themselves, but lemons are used in many ways – especially in the kitchen.

If you purchase lemons from your grocery store; you know how expensive they can be. Those of you who are lucky enough to have a lemon tree typically face an over-abundance of lemons for part of the year and then are faced with having to buy lemons the rest of the year.

Although I can grow a lemon tree in my zone 9a garden, I don’t have one because my mother has an over-achieving lemon tree the produces enough lemons for my mother, my 3 siblings and myself.

I love lemons. I use them a lot for cooking and baking – especially lemonade bars.

To make the most of the lemons; you can freeze the lemon juice AND the zest.

Here is how to do it:

1. Wash the lemon.

2. Zest your lemon using a micro-planer. Only zest the yellow part of the skin (don’t zest the white pith, which tastes bitter).

3. Store your lemon zest in a freezer bag and put in your freezer.

4. Now, slice your zested lemon in half and juice it.

5. Pour the lemon juice into an ice-cube tray.

6. Freeze the lemon-juice cubes and then remove from your ice-cube tray and place your lemon cubes in a freezer bag and store in your freezer.

Whenever you need to use lemon juice for making your favorite salad dressing or making a great sauce for pasta, simply grab a lemon cube or a bit of zest.

You can use these tips for oranges and limes as well.

So whether you want to make the most of those expensive, store-bought lemons or make your lemon tree harvest last all year; preserve the zest and juice in your freezer!

I love this. I have been doing it for years and thought I invented it. lol
(I always fall for those big containers of Meyer Lemons at Costco!) :o)
It comes in SO handy when you’ve been holding on to the lemons for a while, and you don’t want to waste even a little bit!
Great post, Noelle! Now I have to go look for a recipe for lemonade bars!
Thank you!